Sunday, February 17. 2013

It was a productive day at the steam shop although the weather was rather unkind, given our priorities.

On 1630 the whole focus was upon continuing the fitting of fire tubes.As noted last week, our first priority was on trying to make the smaller air motor work with sufficient power to drive the tube rollers and so avoid trying to handle to the large motor in confined spaces.

Moving the Sullair to the North end and rigging a holding reservoir to assure minimal pressure drop as the motor works should have been simple.It took Phil and me rather longer with a few challenges such as melting the wheels out of huge blocks of ice that had frozen it to the ground !.However, Glenn's good work over the summer paid off.The compressor starts well even at 15 degrees.

The effort was a success.The smaller air motor with this enhanced air supply will successfully drive both the straight and flaring tube rollers.This unimpressive looking reservoir, close to the locomotive, proves invaluable in maintaining pressure as the tube is rolled.

A reservoir close to the tool is critical

The results were impressive.We were able to both largely complete expanding the tubes in the firebox and reach about 25% completion of rolling at the smokebox end.

Tubing progress 02/16/2013

We now have just two tubes in the main area to refit.We decided to expand all tubes before addressing the ones where the ferrule "popped" during expansion. Only one did so this week. So we have that and the one from last week to refit before we have all fitted (aside from those between the super heater flues).

Rolling the tube ends is now a rapid process but is driven by preparation for the next step, which is flaring those tubes that are to be beaded after the first hydro test.These need to be fairly accurate to 1/4 inch projection at each end and the flaring is more effective if the length is adjusted before this is done.So, next week, a number of tubes that have excess length will need to be cut back to 1/4 inch with the angle grinder before flaring.This was expected.The tube sheets are not flat so each tube length is unique and must not provide less than the required projection, so you cannot hope to get each tube correct to 1/16th as they are fitted.

Tubes rolled into front tube sheet

Here you can see some of the tubes (for example the two just left of the lowest super heater flue) that project further and will need to be trimmed before flaring.

Tubes rolled into front tube sheet

Hopefully in the coming weeks we can get two teams working.Once the smokebox end of a tube is rolled, the firebox end can be flared.So it should be possible to have teams working in both firebox and smokebox at the same time.The developing number of tubes with blue paint marks is an indication of substantial progress

In other areas:

·The move of the McCabe was completed.This location will allow it to be used without further movement but keeps it out of the way.

McCabe in it new location

·Jeff managed to get the scissor lift moved to the shop despite the icy conditions.This will allow work to start next week on installing the new air system into the South shop.

Scissor lift ready for use

A demonstration ride on the lift provided a rare opportunity for a look at work in the shop from above.Looking the length of the shop, Jerry is relocating material to make way for the McCabe and, at the far end, work continues rolling tubes into 1630.

Aerial view of the shop

Looking toward the West wall, the team is working on the shaper.

Aerial view of the shop

·Stu and Mike worked on reassembly of the planer.Sorting out how the levers should link to the hydraulic control block appears to be a challenge judging by Stu's expression!

Nigel, could you enlighten me as to what a fire tube is? I understand flues. I understand superheater flues. I understand thermic syphons. But I am kind of fuzzy as to what a fire tube is and what differentiates it from the other steam engine thingy's. Thanks.

It may be my British origin or just questionable terminology.
I am using it to identify the small tubes as opposed to the super heater flues so the total that we have to re-install is 16 super heater flues and 180 fire tubes / small tubes.
Nigel

Fire tubes have to do specifically with the boiler. There are two types of boilers, fire tube and water tube. In a fire tube boiler, there is an area in which you have the fire. The heat and the smoke then travel through the tubes heating the water that surrounds the flues. When it goes though the tubes the smoke is then exhausted out. In water tube boilers, there is a central heat source. Then around the heat source on two sides is water with flues going between them. Water travels from one side to another over the heat source to create steam. The heat and smoke is exhausted out above the heat source. Now back to steam locomotives, they are fire tube boilers. The fuel is burned in the fire box where it heats the water between the wrapper sheet, back head, rear tube sheet, and the crown sheet. It then sends the smoke and heat through the flues, heating the water that is between the courses, the flues, and the two tube sheets. The smoke is then sent out the smoke stack. You don't actually call the flues fire tubes. You just call them flues.

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Roger Kramer about New Diesel Arrives for the CollectionThu, 12-08-2016 07:46Hi Andy I know, you guys did an
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